“Please come take our picture,” Kendra said. “Bettina can’t take a good shot to save her life.” She winked at Bettina. “You know I still love you, though.”

Then she handed me her phone and lined up with her family—Paul to her right, Cole in his robe on her left, and her oldest, Sam, next to his brother on the end. When summer was over, both of her boys would be off at college. I knew Kendra was already plotting what she’d do next. Hobbies, projects. Vacations. No way that woman could relax.

“Say cheese!”

A chorus of McCauls cheese’d back at me. Kendra kissed Cole on the cheek, leaving a faint trace of pink glossy lipstick that he immediately wiped off with his thumb. “Don’t let that swim scholarship and ticket to UVA go to your head,” she said, ruffling his hair.

“Aren’t you guys just the sweetest?” I gave her back her cell phone.

“It’s just so thrilling to have all my boys here,” Kendra said. “And in collared shirts.”

She squinted in the bright light, checking my photo skills, then locked the screen and beamed at me. “Perfect.”

Kendra glanced over my shoulder, and her face changed. Behind me, a tall, thin woman I’d never seen before was approaching. Probably my age or younger. Too much makeup—were those fake eyelashes? Kendra beckoned her over.

“Kendall! I need to introduce you to someone,” Kendra said. “This is Theresa Pressley, Principal Wallace’s wife. They live right across the street from me in Ivy Woods.”

To me, she said, “Kendall’s looking into buying Alice’s house.” Of course. It wasn’t even on the market officially yet, but word had gotten around quickly when Alice had decided to move away. Her husband had been transferred to another military base, or so she said. In the meantime, she and her kids had moved to her in-laws’ house. I’d miss her optimistic take on everything.

“Can you tell her how awesome our neighborhood is?” Kendra asked.

Yes, I could. The houses. The lake. The way the trees swayed during a storm, bending but never breaking.

The family potlucks. The playgrounds and well-lit paths. Christmas caroling and neighbors who would shovel your sidewalk without asking.

The whispers in the woods, late at night. The animals, feasting and howling and learning how to survive. The history, the traditions and celebrations.

I’d seen it all once, long ago, and longed to be part of it. And now I was.

“I’m sure you’d adore it, Kendall,” I said now, tossing her another million-dollar smile. But you’ll have to earn your place. “It’s very tight-knit. We help each other out.”

FORTY-SEVEN

Ellen

Ladies and gentlemen, caps and gowns...by the time this ceremony is over, I will be free.

Free from the hypocrisy, free from the stains and lies and sins of this town.